Deputy Coroner

This is to fill one full time permanent position.

The Department of Justice is working to ensure Yukon remains a safe, secure, and healthy place to live and work. We build strong and healthy relationships with others to support good governance and to foster safe communities with opportunities for healing. The Department of Justice provides supportive and dynamic work environments comprised of teams of professionals who are committed to making a difference in the lives of Yukoners.

The position reporting to the Chief Coroner, acts as an important member of the Yukon Coroners Service. First, the incumbent will act, in conjunction with the Chief Coroner as a liaison with all Investigating Coroners and police to provide professional, technical, and death investigation service and support. The position supports the Chief Coroner by assisting with ongoing communication, updates and recommendations and, as needed acts as Chief Coroner. The incumbent is an integral part of the effective management of the Yukon Coroners Service and must maintain confidentiality at all times.

The position supports the ongoing activities of the Yukon Coroner Service by providing professional support, technical investigative skills and expertise in the development and monitoring of policies and standards relating to the death investigations under the supervision of the Chief Coroner.

The incumbent is appointed as an Investigating Coroner for Yukon and performs the duties of the Coroner as set out in the Coroners Act in accordance with best practices, death investigation standards and ethical guidelines.

As an Investigating Coroner, the incumbent has significant authority and independence in relation to the Coroner's death investigation responsibilities under the supervision of the Chief Coroner. When carrying out statutory duties like conducting investigations, Yukon Coroners Service operates at arms-length from YG and all government agencies.

For information about the position, please contact Heather Jones, Manager, Yukon Coroners Service, at (867)667-5317 or [email protected].

For information about the recruitment process, please contact Ilze Pretorius, Human Resource Consultant II at (867)332-5209 or [email protected]

Please do not email resumes to either of these addresses; resumes may only be accepted through e-recruitment. If you need technical support submitting your application/resume, contact: [email protected]

Essential Qualifications

Please submit your resume clearly demonstrating how you meet the following qualifications. Please note selection for further consideration will be based solely on the information you provide in your resume; ensure you use a month/year to month/year format and include the duties you performed in each of your position. Candidates should have and may be assessed on:

• A related post-secondary degree from a recognized and accredited institution (ie: Bachelor of Science level or above in Medio-legal Death Investigation; Forensic Medicine; Medicine; Nursing; Law, Biological Sciences, Forensic Anthropology, Social work etc)
• Considerable experience in related medical, legal or death investigation fields
• Preference will be given to candidates with previous Coroner or medio-legal death investigation experience and have experience in northern remote communities.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Desired Knowledge, skills and suitability

Candidates should have and may be assessed on

• Demonstrated interest in death investigation in remote northern regions;
• Knowledge, understanding and respect of diverse northern cultures and communities and the ability to balance medico-legal and cultural needs in the investigation of sudden death and the handling of human remains;
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment with an emphasis on Yukon First Nations culture;
• Demonstrated knowledge of relevant legislation, relevant regulations and investigative procedures;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to deal with medical and other professionals, peace officers and distraught and highly emotional individuals;
• Sound ethical decision-making skills that demonstrates the capacity to access available resources required for professional death investigations (a strong proven ability to evaluate, analyze and problem solve);
• Ability to work independently and as part of team which can be comprised of interdisciplinary members;
• Proven ability to assess risk and propose mitigative strategies;
• Proven ability to identify public safety issues and bring recommendations for change forward;
• Proven leadership abilities, including demonstrated mentoring skills, interpersonal and communication skills;
• Proven ability to listen, understand and guide in an empathetic manner;
• Excellent organizational and time management skills in order to manage a diverse workload, conflicting demands and unexpected changes in priorities and assignments;
• Proven abilities in the areas of crisis intervention, anger diffusion, interviewing, assessment and conflict intervention and resolution;
• Ability to function effectively in highly stressful situations while maintaining an awareness of cultural diversity and needs;
• Proven ability to create and carry-out a plan of self-care in the face of prolonged and constant exposure to human grief and tragedy;
• Excellent written communication skills;
• Awareness of whom has responsibility for certain functions within Government of Yukon, public agencies, community and First Nation governments and other organizations as necessary;
• Membership in or recognition by a Yukon First Nation is an asset
• Ability to maintain confidentiality when dealing with sensitive and personal information

Conditions of Employment

• The incumbent must have or be eligible to obtain statutory appointment as a Coroner in the Yukon Territory, which requires a renewed Vulnerable Security Clearance check;
• A valid class 5 Yukon Driver’s License or equivalent from another jurisdiction which must be transferred to the Yukon within the probationary period;
• Verification of post-secondary education and experience.

Job Requirements

• Willingness to travel within the Yukon Territory regularly with limited notice; and,
• Willingness to work extended hours with limited notice or to be on standby for extended periods of time with frequent evenings, weekend, and statutory holiday work hours required.